Title:           One Heart - 6. Fire In Your New Shoes
Author:          Slasher_Science
Pastebin link:   http://pastebin.com/5ZYCgJAF
First Edit:      Wednesday 26th of November 2014 06:34:40 PM CDT
Last Edit:       Last edit on: Sunday 22nd of February 2015 01:19:45 PM CDT

6. Fire In Your New Shoes
 
 
 
"Octavia."
 
The grey mare sits at her kitchen table, watching the sun from behind the curtains. Her hoof supports her muzzle and her mane is a tangled mess.
Cold coffee you made her sits on the table, untouched.
 
Her eyes gaze in a hollow trance at the bit of cloth blocking her view out of the home-turned-prison.
 
"Octavia..."
 
"Yes, Anon..."
 
You had taken a shower already and thrown on your old work outfit. "Are there any more of those pills?"
 
Without looking, she points to the hallway, "In bathroom. Cabinet. Pills."
 
She obviously took more while you were in the shower.
 
"I'm going out."
Finally, she looks at you. Her pupils are different sizes and half-lidded. "Outside?"
 
"Yeah. We need stuff to eat."
 
She nods, "Okay. Be careful. No Fluttershy. No Applejack. She's looking... Also, h-here."
 
With a stumble, she gets up and opens a drawer.
She gives you a small folded paper.
 
"What's this?"
 
"Prescription. One refill. Take to ph-pharmacy and get more for us."
 
"Will they let me refill it?"
 
She nods too much, "Pharmacist is my friend."
 
You put it in your pocket. "Okay. Stay here, I'll be back soon." She goes back to her spot at the table and looks at the curtain.
 
Before you leave, you go to the bathroom and take one of the last four pain pills. Another goes in your pocket.
You open the front door and look outside. It's bright.
 
No sign of Applejack.
 
You set off at a fast walk, headed to the market. The whole time you shop, you feel like you're being watched.
Once loaded with some groceries, you find the pharmacy. Inside, a white mare with a green mane greets you. You hand her the prescription paper. She doesn't say anything and passes you a new bottle of pills.
 
"One refill left, sir."
 
You raise an eyebrow and put the bottle in your pocket. "But I thought that was-"
 
"Tell Octavia I said hi."  The mare smiles.
 
"Sure. I will."
 
You gather your bags and leave once more.
That was easy. She really was Octavia's friend.
 
"Anonymous! Anon!"
 
*Shit.*
You look over and see a pony waving at you. It's Rarity. Your nerves settle.
She trots over. "So good to see you! Darling, you look DREADFUL!"
 
"I know. I haven't been outside in a while. Just needed some groceries."
That pain pill is kicking in.
"Well I'm glad you got out. Have you... Seen Applejack?"
You shake your head and look down.
"Good. I think it's best the two of you cool off. Now, how about you come with me and we get you a new outfit and do something about those bags under your eyes?"
 
"I have to get these groceries home and Octavia is waiting..."
 
She magics the bags out of your hands, "Okay, I'll help you carry them home and then you can come back to my boutique."
 
"I don't know."
 
Rarity tuts, "You are going to come with me, Anon. I won't accept refusal. I'm going to make it worth your time and you will look like your handsome old self in no time."
 
You sigh.
*It's always the stubborn girls.*
"Fine. Thanks Rarity."
 
The two of you walk back to Octavia's. Rarity walks in front of you, levitating the groceries. She seems to be swaying her hips a lot. You find it hard to look away.
When her tail swishes, you can almost see-
"This is the place, right?"
 
You look up and find yourself home.
"Yeah. Thanks, I'll take the stuff in. Can you wait here?"
She gives you the groceries back, "Please hurry dear." You enter the house and close the door behind you. "Octavia?"
 
"Kitchen."
 
She's still in the same spot when you enter. "I got some groceries. And I'm going over to Rarity's for a bit. Wanna come?"
 
She looks over at you, "No thanks. Did you get the refill?"
 
You hand her the bottle of pills. She opens it and you both take one.
"Thanks Anon. You can take a couple more with you. I'll put the groceries away..."
 
You say goodbye and head back outside where Rarity is waiting. "Ready to get fabulous?"
 
"Er, yeah."
 
The two of you walk the back roads to her place. This time, you avoid staring at her. She does smell nice though.
You have always admired Rarity's cleanliness and style, despite her sometimes obnoxious personality.
 
"After you."
She holds the door open for you and you enter.
 
A white blob tumbles down the stairs.
 
Sweetie Belle shakes her head and stares at you. "HI ANON!"
 
"Hey Sweetie Belle, how are you?"
 
She runs over and wraps her tail around your leg, batting her lashes. "Oh I'm just great, how are yooooou?~"
Rarity shoos her little sister away. "Sweetie Belle, quit flirting and give Anonymous his space." Sweetie Belle pouts.
 
"Anonymous, come into my studio. We simply must get started!"
 
You follow Rarity. "Hey Rarity, listen... I don't really have much money."
"First, we'll get you washed. I'll wash your hair. Have a seat in front of the sink and lay your head back." You do so and let her throw a plastic sheet over you.
"Would you like it dyed?"
 
"Please no."
 
"Can I give you a cut and style at least?"
 
"Sure."
 
"Want to get wet?"
 
"Oka- what?"
 
Your whole head is drenched in a spray of water from a nozzle. Rarity laughs.
"HEY!"
With ease, you grab the hose from her and turn it around.
Rarity yelps and backs away. You stop spraying and laugh. She smiles at you.
*Huh. Thought she'd be pissed.*
 
Her mane and tail hang down, dripping.
 
"I was only playing, Anon. A little water doesn't hurt. And I even got you to laugh."
 
The pills are really taking you for a trip. You chuckle and lay back. "Sorry, surprised me."
She comes back over to you and brushes her mane aside. "Just relax. No more tricks."
 
"You had a water fight WITHOUT ME?!"
 
Sweetie Belle stands in the doorway, looking hurt. Rarity sprays at her with the short hose. It falls short and Sweetie Belle runs screeching up the stairs.
 
"Okay Anon, just relax now and let me do my magic." She's actually using magic. That's funny to you.
 
You're kind of high.
 
"That feels good..."
Her hooves now move through your hair, lathering a mix of water and shampoo. She speaks softly beside your ear, "If there's one thing I know: It's hair care, Anon."
 
As she works across your scalp, she hums a tune. Out of the corner of your eyes you can see her wet mane dangling down. She actually looks good with her hair down.
*Why is she being so nice?*
 
"Hey Rarity?"
 
"Yes?"
 
"I know you probably already spoke to Applejack. So can you tell me... Do you think I was wrong?"
Instead of speaking, she rinses your hair.
"I'd just like to know if I did something wrong. If I crossed a line. If I could have-"
 
"You did nothing wrong, Anonymous."
 
Rarity holds your head and speaks in a whisper, directly into your ear. It sends shivers down your arms.
"You were never wrong. The regret you are feeling is because you couldn't know that you weren't wrong, now could you?"
 
"What do you mean?"
 
Her hoof moves down the back of your head.
 
The faucet is still running.
 
A noise far away.
 
"You should know better than anyone that your lover is as stubborn and set in her ways as they come. She doesn't like feeling cornered. I think she would have liked to have been the one in your role. And when she wasn't... It was fight or flight."
 
Now one hoof is on your shoulder, the other atop your head. Her lips almost touch your ear.
 
"I was very upset with her... That she could do that to someone as sweet as you..."
 
Your hands are gripping the chair.
 
"And when I saw how you had become, I didn't care anymore, Anon. Now all I want is to see you smile again..."
 
*Oh god.*
 
"I don't care if you even forget about Applejack."
 
*You're gonna-*
 
"So long as you're happy."
 
She lets go and backs away.
"Wheew! Anywhooo~ the hair is fresh and ready for a trim. Can you move to my styling chair?"
 
Feeling in a daze, you slowly get up and move over to another chair by a large mirror.
Rarity has to get a stool to reach your head.
 
"Now, I think I know exactly what will make you look so handsome, even Princess Luna wouldn't be able to resist you!"
 
She gets to work with a magic'd pair of scissors.
 
You stare into the mirror. If you weren't wrong, then why do you feel guilty?
The pills help before the excess-
But the remainder is a diluted bitterness.
 
"Don't be fooled by your emptiness, Anon."
 
Your eyes dart up to Rarity's reflection.
 
"There's plenty of room for happiness. You just have to be resilient."
 
She smiles at you in the mirror while bits of hair fall around you.
You smile back.
 
"Yes! I love it."
 
The rest of the haircut goes by with no words.
Only Rarity humming.
 
Once she's done, she brushes you off. "Oh, this will do just fine."
Your hair looks like...
 
"I look like one of those fashion models on the clothing bags."
 
It's been a while since you've shaved, so you have a bit of scruff. It looks good.
 
"Now for the clothing!" The two of you head deeper into the labyrinth of fashion. She places you onto a platform.
 
"Anon, you'll have to strip down so I can take measurements."
 
"Fine. But I'm keeping my underwear on."
She wraps a measuring tape around her neck with a wink, "Sounds kinky."
 
You strip down and wait for Rarity to begin. After she takes quick measurements, you get dressed and wait.
"Are you just making a shirt and some pants or something?"
 
Rarity moves in a flurry of flying fabric, "Oh no. Just wait. You're going to be stunned." You just hope it doesn't take too long. While she's busy, you take your last pill you brought-
 
And fall asleep.
 
-
 
"It's done!"
 
You awake with a jolt. It takes a moment to realize you're still in Rarity's home. She comes over and pushes on you. "Quick! Quick! Onto the platform again and get undressed!"
 
You do so and rub your eyes.
*Still pretty fucked up.*
 
Rarity begins to magic clothes onto you.
Once done, she holds up a large mirror in front of you. "Isn't it MARVELOUS?!" It takes a moment for your eyes to focus.
Staring back is a dashing man.
 
Rarity has made you a smooth black suit with a red tie and black shining shoes. "I never really thought that grey and blue suit you always wear... Suited you. I think black and red is much better."
 
"It looks great, Rarity. I never really thought I'd be able to pull off this look."
 
Rarity steps around you, admiring her work. "You shouldn't underestimate yourself, Anon. You look very handsome. So handsome- I think you could have anyone you wanted."
 
She pulls off a loose thread and smooths down your back, "You can definitely wear whatever you want."
 
Her hoof slides a little lower, making you tense.
"Or..."
Now her hoof is on your ass. "Have whatever you want..." It rubs and presses in. You don't know how she's able to squeeze with it.
 
"If you can pay for it, darling."
 
"Rarity, I don't have much money."
 
She lets go of your ass and rubs up against your leg, "I don't want bits from you."
*Sex.*
"Well then what do you want?"
 
Rarity sighs and moves away from you.
"I'm not the kind of girl to charge a friend for a favor. But you have to see, Anon... I have needs."
 
Thoughts of Fluttershy race through your head. An innocently packaged gift of nauseous sexual frustration.
Any interaction with a female seemed to be getting to you now. Like a stigma- like a leech. "Rarity, can we please talk about something else?"
She doesn't seem to notice your discomfort. Or maybe just ignores it. Her hoof grabs your sleeve and tugs gently. She looks up at you with her bottom lip sticking out and blinks. "I'm not asking for much... Can you just come up to my room for a while? Then you can go back to Octavia."
 
The pills that Octavia offered were good in a way that made life seem tame. However, they also made your concerns just as unproblematic.
 
"Okay. I owe you I guess, Rarity."
 
Humming a tune again, Rarity begins to clean up the supplies she used, flashing you genuine smiles of happiness occasionally. When she's done, she leads you out of the room and up the stairs.
Sweetie Belle left to go play with her friends a while ago.
 
You're all alone with Rarity and very much not sober. At the top of the stairs you almost fall back down them. Rarity catches your arm. "Careful now. I wouldn't want you to get hurt and I really wouldn't like to have to answer to Octavia and Applejack!"
 
Concentrating more on your feet, you are led into Rarity's room. She closes the door. "So, you're probably wondering just exactly what I want, yes?"
 
You shake your head and focus your eyes on the bed. "I uh, I think so?"
 
Rarity hops up into her large bed and looks back at you. "All I want is to cuddle on this bed for a while. Is that alright?"
You step forward. "S'that it? Well shit... Okay."
She raises a hoof, "WAIT." You stop and sway a little. "Please take off the suit first."
 
Turns out she really does want to take advantage of you, huh? "Please Anon, after all that hard work I couldn't stand to see that fine suit wrinkled."
Oh.
With a shrug, you start disrobing and placing your clothes on a coat rack by the bed until you are back down to your underwear.
Rarity pats the bed beside her with a smile. "Much better. Thank you."
 
You get onto the bed beside her and lay on your back. The ceiling seems to be moving in your vision. Rarity wraps her legs over you and presses her muzzle against your throat with a sigh.
 
"This is all I wanted, Anon."
 
The two of you begin breathing in synch. "It may seem weird or something, but I have wanted someone to hold close in this bed for a long while now."
She moves her face around and you can feel her inhaling against your skin. "I guess I'm just lonely. I see so many ponies with their lovers. I've made wedding dresses for young mares unaware of just how lucky they were. And seeing my friends find someone they are interested in, well..."
 
Is she crying?
 
"I feel like I'm getting older faster now. I'm older than most of my friends and I still sleep alone every night. I wake up alone every morning and all I do is work. I want someone. I just want someone. And I don't care if it's not truly real for now. I just want someone..."
 
You feel her bottom lip slide up your neck, like she's debating sucking on it.
 
"Anon?"
 
"Yeah?"
 
"Can I kiss you?"
 
You thought Octavia was desperate. Desperate for a change in her life. Well, Rarity is desperate. Desperate for a love in her life.
Truly real or not.
 
"Yeah."
 
Her lips press against your neck. She starts slow, with little unsure pecks. Then her legs squeeze you harder and she begins to attack your neck with her lips, breathing erratically.
 
She rolls over and lays on top of you, looking down and breathing heavy. Her mane is tussled and still damp.
Her eyes scan yours, like she's waiting for you to tell her to stop.
 
After a bit of silence, she leans down and kisses below your ear. "I know... I know I said I only wanted to lay here, but- we're all red inside, right? I can't help it. I'm sorry... I feel kind of guilty now. I don't think I'll be able to look Applejack in the eye for a while."
You pat her mane. "Rarity, don't worry. We're not doing anything. I'm just doing what any friend would do for a friend in need. I'm here for you."
 
She sobs a little against your throat, her mane tickling your face.
"Oh Anon... How could she EVER deny you? Why do all these mares not realize just how lucky they are?"
Grabbing your cheeks in both hooves, she gets back up, looking down at you with tears in her eyes.
"If I were the mare to be with you, I would treat you the way you deserve. I think having you here would be good for me. I'd need to want you to make me into something I would want to be... I'd need you to want me around. I would be hopelessly attached and wouldn't care who knew. I guess you could say, I would become obsessed."
 
She stares into your eyes. You say nothing in return.
 
Then she falls back beside you with a sigh and stares up at the ceiling.
"I'm sorry I'm venting to you. Thank you for listening. Really."
 
You reach over and take her hoof in your hand. "You'll find someone. You're talented and kind and beautiful. I'm sure there's already a long line of guys that would kill to be in my position right now."
 
Rarity chuckles, "But I don't let just anyone in my bed."
 
She wraps her legs back around you and sighs. "So what about Octavia? Do you and her have something special?"
 
*We eat pills, but not for fun. We're sick. Patients locked in a house and content with the silence.*
 
"Ah, no. We're just friends. We have... a lot in common."
 
Rarity's tail brushes your leg and she kisses your ear softly.
"Octavia is quite the mare. I can say without shame that I have found myself in a jealous state when thinking of her. Many stallions want her, and many mares want to be her. There's even a rumor that she enjoys wearing... Lace saddles."
 
Lace saddles? Is that like a fetish for ponies?
"I don't really know about that, but I think everyone would be surprised if they got to know the real Octavia."
 
No one would ever know the real Octavia if she kept herself locked in that house.
 
"I think I should get back to the house..." You sit up and Rarity's legs slide off of you. "Is that okay?"
Rarity wipes her eyes and sniffles a little. "Of course. I can't thank you enough for staying with me. You're really a wonderful man, Anon."
 
You stand and begin to get dressed. "It's nothing. Thank you for the clothes. And for the talk. I really needed it."
 
Rarity gets onto her belly and smiles at you. "You just needed a fire in those new shoes. A sad face doesn't suit you."
 
You let her straighten your suit-
 
Then leave.
 
Rarity watches you from the second story window as you walk back to Octavia's.
 
The effects of the pills are starting to wane a bit. Octavia is probably still sitting in the same spot.
But you feel a lot better. Rarity made some good points.
 
Ahead, you notice a sign standing out against the setting sun.
 
'Gaffy's Place'
 
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UNrZD74WRZs&feature=youtu.be